How to Make a Robot From Recycled Materials

Erin MaurerUpdated November 21, 2016

This year, turn Earth Day into a time to teach your children about recycling. In the weeks leading up to the holiday, gather materials that are normally discarded: boxes, cardboard tubes, scratched CDs and disposable food containers. With some craft glue, duct tape, newspaper and aluminium foil, these materials can be turned into a cute robot. Crayola suggests using the robot craft as a method for helping kids get in the habit of recycling. Place the robot near trash and recycling receptacles as a recycling reminder.

Cover boxes and cardboard tubes with newspaper, aluminium foil or duct tape to give the robot's body parts a more metallic feel. Secure with glue.

Cut two holes in the sides of the large box, just large enough to for the cardboard tubes. Insert cardboard tubes into the holes and secure with craft glue.

Cut two holes in the bottom of the box, similar to the holes cut in step two. Insert the remaining cardboard tubes into the bottom holes and secure with glue. Now the robot has a body, arms and legs.

Trace right and left handprints on the paper bag. Cut out the handprints and glue them to the robot's arms.

Cut holes in the two small shoe boxes, just large enough to the fit the robot's legs. Insert the robot's legs into the "shoes" and secure with glue.

Glue a button to each of the plastic Easter eggs. Glue the eggs to the top of the robot's body to make eyes.

Place a large, clear, round salad bowl or other food container upside down on top of the Easter egg eyes to form the robot's head. Secure with glue.

Glue the CDs to the sides of the robot's head to form ears. Allow kids to decorate their robots with the remaining buttons.

Tip

If craft glue does not hold properly try using a hot glue gun. Hot glue should be used by an adult.